SC orders to demolish lawyers' chambers from football ground
The top court lambasted NAB for selective accountability and discrimination and observed that this behaviour was counterproductive and harming the anti-graft initiative. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
The Supreme Court ordered on Tuesday to demolish all illegal construction on the football ground in Islamabad, ordering lawyers to immediately vacate the site.
A three-member bench presided by Chief Justice of Pakistan Gulzar Ahmed heard the case related to the ransacking of Islamabad High Court (IHC) during a protest over the demolition of the illegally built chambers of the lawyers.
The CJP dismissed the LHC bar's plea stating that the structure may remain until an alternate arrangement is made. "How can we provide legal standing to something illegal," he asked.
Maintaining the earlier verdict by IHC, Justice Gulzar asked as to why the illegal chambers should not be removed. "The lawyers have no right to stay on the ground," he maintained.
"Whoever wants to continue practicising as a lawyer may find another place," the top judge remarked.
Also read: CJP gives an earful to protesting lawyers
The counsel for the court Shoaib Shaheen implored that there were also many courts built at the place in question. At this, Justice Gulzar ordered to remove those courts as well.
Last week, SC restrained the Islamabad administration from demolishing the chambers at the capital’s district courts [katcheri] till the next hearing on March 2 (today).
On February 7, the Capital Development Authority’s (CDA) enforcement team and police demolished the illegal chambers and a day later, a group of lawyers entered the IHC premises, angrily chanting slogans against the judiciary and the CDA.
The mob later barged into the IHC’s Chief Justice Athar Minallah’s office where he was present. Groups of lawyers also forced other judges out of their courtrooms.